Why not sign up to the Trolley Dash to raise money for Grace Research Fund...
A mad dash with competitors in fancy dress, which is set to raise thousands of pounds for the Grace Research Fund, is taking place in May.
Nurses and doctors, together with families and friends of premature babies who have been helped by staff at local hospitals, will be pushing brightly decorated shopping trollies and buggies in The Big Push from the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire at 10am on Sunday, May 11.
The teams will be travelling eight miles to the finishing line at the University of Warwick’s Cryfield Pavilion.
It costs £10 per person to register (£5 for students).Teams of four are encouraged to enter and raise money for the Grace Research Fund which funds research into the causes of premature births and the best forms of neonatal care.
The cost includes a buffet lunch at the University of Warwick Cryfield Pavilion afterwards.
Runners can choose to push a small shopping trolley, provided by the organisers, a buggy for the kids or any other item that can be pushed without being dangerous. Teams can be as creative as they like with their decoration, with previous runners choosing to theme their decoration including Harry Potter, Super Heroes and Toy Story.
Dr Andy Coe, consultant paediatrician at University Hospital, said he hoped the fun event would inspire people to raise money for the Grace Research Fund.
“The last time we held the Big Push we raised £6,000 but we want to improve on those achievements,” he said. “This annual event is only successful because of the generous and enthusiastic efforts of everyone who takes part in The Big Push.
“We have had Super Heroes take part in the past and we want everyone who is pushing a trolley or buggy to dress up and have a fun day.
“This is one of our biggest annual fundraising events and it would be great to have as many teams as possible involved.
“Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed team, the team who raises the most money and a wooden spoon will be given to the team who finishes last.”
Coventry City FC is supporting The Big Push as the Grace Research Fund is the club’s nominated charity for the year and the charity’s name is emblazoned on the first team’s shirts as part of a sponsorship deal.
Mark Hornby, marketing executive at Coventry City, has urged Sky Blues fans to enter a team to support the fantastic work of a local charity.
“The work which Grace Research Fund supports makes a difference to thousands of lives and the Big Push is a great, fun way of raising money for a charity based in Coventry and Warwickshire,” he said.
“We would encourage as many fans as possible to join in and I am sure the sight of all the shopping trollies and buggies being pushed by people in fancy dress along the route will cause quite a stir and inspire people to donate.”
To register a team, email graceresearchfund@warwick.ac.uk or visit www.graceresearchfund.org.